First Report of Theileria Infection of Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Xinjiang, China

Introduction Protozoan Theileria is transmitted by tick vectors to some animals worldwide and causes considerable economic damage. The detection of pathogens in camels is not only crucial for the preservation of species but also provides important information on the epidemiologic chain of diseases. Materials and methods We conducted a molecular detection in Xinjiang, China to assess the impact of Theileria infection in Bactrian camels and ticks in 2016. The 18S rRNA and MPSP gene sequences of T. sinensis obtained from Bactrian camels and ticks in Xinjiang, China have been deposited in the GenBank database. Results PCR revealed that 6.56% of the Bactrian camel blood samples, 2.75% of Rhipicephalus sp., 3.81% of Hy. asiaticum, 4.32% of Hy. dromedarii, and 0% of D. niveus tick samples were positive for T. sinensis, respectively; no other Theileria and Babesia were found in these samples and D. niveus samples. The results showed that one Theileria parasite, Theileria sinensis, was found in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), Rhipicephalus sp., Hy. asiaticum, and Hy. dromedarii in Xinjiang, respectively. Conclusion This is the first detection of T. sinensis DNA in Bactrian camels from China. Our results provide important data to increase the understanding of theileriosis of Bactrian camel, and will aid in taking effective measures to control theileriosis transmission to camels, cattle and other ruminants in Xinjiang, China.